Before nearly 500 members and supporters from across the province, the Quebec Liberal Party (QLP) held its final General Council this weekend ahead of the provincial election scheduled for October.
This major pre-election gathering brought together elected officials, candidates, party members, and representatives of the Quebec Liberal Party Youth Commission (QLPYC).
With the Party now shifting into campaign mode as the election approaches, the General Council provided an opportunity to introduce nine new candidates, bringing the Liberal team to 51 candidates, mobilize supporters, and prepare for the next phases of the campaign.
In a speech firmly focused on the economy, wealth creation, and improving Quebecers’ quality of life, Mr. Milliard stated that Quebec must regain its ambition and equip itself with a government capable of addressing the challenges of productivity, housing, labour shortages, and competitiveness.
Among the key commitments announced:
• Establish a genuine industrial policy aimed at making Quebec an economy of production, innovation, and value-added transformation.
• Increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to Quebec’s GDP from 12% to 15% by 2035.
• Restore funding for College Centres for Technology Transfer (CCTTs) and the Conseil de l’innovation to support SMEs and research throughout Quebec.
• Plan immigration levels according to regional economic needs and local capacity, while strengthening French-language integration efforts.
• Implement an immediate moratorium on any new regulations that increase the administrative burden on SMEs.
• Introduce a “two-for-one” regulatory rule: for every new requirement imposed on businesses, two existing requirements must be eliminated.
• Establish mandatory timelines for government approvals to accelerate economic development projects.
• Gradually reduce the SME tax rate from 11.5% to 10% and lower payroll taxes.
• Create a national business succession strategy to ensure entrepreneurial continuity and keep Quebec businesses in local hands.
• Rebuild Quebec and make it the most innovative jurisdiction in North America.
• Achieve, over time, 100,000 housing starts annually to address the housing crisis and improve access to home ownership.
During the two-day event, members participated in campaign-readiness workshops and attended an economic panel featuring MNAs Filomena Rotiroti and Frédéric Beauchemin, as well as candidates Julie White, Pierre Cossette, and Patrice Léger Bourgoin. The discussion was moderated by Marie-Eve Doyon.
The Party also presented several awards, including the “Association Challenge Award,” which this year was awarded to the Westmount–Saint-Louis Liberal Association. The prestigious Lucienne-Saillant Award was also presented to two volunteers—one from Eastern Quebec and one from Western Quebec—in recognition of their exceptional commitment and outstanding contribution to the Party over recent years.
This year’s recipients are:
• Michel Larochelle, Western Quebec
• Gilles Gagnon, Eastern Quebec
Several speakers addressed delegates throughout the General Council, including Charlie Bourdages, President of the QLP Youth Commission, Rafael Ferraro, Party President, and Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard, who delivered the closing address.
With four months remaining before election day, the Quebec Liberal Party is ready. Ready to present a strong team rooted in every region of Quebec. Ready to offer concrete solutions to economic challenges, affordability concerns, the housing crisis, and the state of our public services. More than ever, the QLP is prepared to offer Quebecers a real change of direction and a government ready to rebuild Quebec.
